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Müller Cells as a Source of Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor in the Retina: Noradrenaline Upregulates Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Cultured Rat Müller Cells

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Abstract

Müller cells, the predominant glial cells in the retina, are thought to play important roles in the survival of retinal neurons. Previous studies have demonstrated that Müller cells express brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which has a pronounced neurotrophic effect on retinal ganglion cells. In this study, we investigated whether Müller cells express and release BDNF in culture. Reverse transcriptase-PCR, immunocytochemistry and Western blotting revealed that Müller cells produce BDNF mRNA and protein. Using the enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay, BDNF protein levels in Müller cells and their conditioned medium were quantified, demonstrating that Müller cells produce and release high levels of BDNF. Noradrenaline administration caused an upregulation of BDNF mRNA and protein expression by cultured Müller cells. These results suggest that Müller cells may act as an endogenous source of BDNF in the retina. Furthermore, induction of BDNF expression by adrenergic agonists may provide a therapeutic approach to retinal neurodegenerative disorders.

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Abbreviations

BDNF:

brain-derived neurotrophic factor

NA:

noradrenaline

RGC:

retinal ganglion cell

GCL:

ganglion cell layer

INL:

inner nuclear layer

ELISA:

enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay

GS:

glutamine synthetase

GLAST:

l-glutamate/l-aspartate transporter

SDS:

sodium dodecyl sulfate

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, 1-757 Asahimachi, 951-8585, Nigata, Nigata, Japan

    Masaaki Seki, Takayuki Tanaka, Yasuhiro Sakai, Hiroyuki Nawa & Nobuyuki Takei

  2. Division of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Graduated School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan

    Masaaki Seki, Takayuki Tanaka, Yasuhiro Sakai, Takeo Fukuchi & Haruki Abe

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  1. Masaaki Seki
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  2. Takayuki Tanaka
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  3. Yasuhiro Sakai
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  4. Takeo Fukuchi
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  5. Haruki Abe
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  6. Hiroyuki Nawa
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  7. Nobuyuki Takei
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Correspondence to Nobuyuki Takei.

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Seki, M., Tanaka, T., Sakai, Y. et al. Müller Cells as a Source of Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor in the Retina: Noradrenaline Upregulates Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Cultured Rat Müller Cells. Neurochem Res 30, 1163–1170 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-005-7936-7

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